Signaling apparatus

ABSTRACT

565,174. Signalling by visible signals. ALDIS, A. C. W. Sept. 30, 1940, Nos. 14727 /40, 9835 /41 and 10118 /41. [Class 118 (ii)] [Also in Groups XXXIX and XL] A signalling apparatus is adapted both to observe a distant station and to project a beam of light to that station, and is provided with light-deflecting means which can be moved to either of two positions for enabling the station to be observed or the beam of light to be projected. The apparatus may be provided with a light-responsive device adapted to be actuated by light received from the distant station, and also with means for modulating the projected beam of light so that it can be converted into sound vibrations at the distant station. The apparatus comprises a tubular body a, Fig. 1, having at one end an object lens band at the other end a housing for an incandescent electric lamp d. At an intermediate point, the body a is provided with a tubular branch e fitted with an eyepiece g, erecting lenses i and a graticule m. A light-deflecting device, such as a prism j, is mounted within the body a in such a position that light received by the lens b can be deflected through the lenses i and the eyepiece g. The prism j is carried by a slide v which can be moved to either of two positions, one in which the lenses act as a telescope to view the distant station, and the other in which the prism is clear of the beam of light passing from the lamp d to the lens b. The light from the lamp is concentrated by a condensing lens p on to a small aperture o, in a stop n, at the focus of the object lens b, and in the side of the stop near the lamp a shutter is provided which is movable under the control of a manually-operated plunger, or an electromagnet controlled by a signalling key, to transmit signals to the distant station by interrupting the beam of light projected by the lens b. The slide v may be provided with a contact member that makes and breaks the circuit of the lamp d and prevents the lamp from being lighted when the prism j is in the observing position. Colour screens 25, mounted in a movable holder, may be arranged between the prism and the lens b, and means provided for bringing them into the path of the projected light when required to impart colour to the beam. The apparatus is supported at its ends in bearings 35 to enable it to be turned to bring the eyepiece to a position convenient for the observer. The apparatus may be adapted to receive signals without requiring the observer to remain on watch. For this purpose, a chamber containing a photo-electric cell is mounted on any convenient part of the body a and a lightreflecting member, such as a prism, is so mounted within the body that it can be moved to and from a service position on the optical axis of the telescope. When in the service position, light signals received by the lens b are deflected through a small aperture on to the photo-electric cell and are converted into audible signals or operate a visible indicator or recording device. The apparatus may be adapted to transmit oral communication. This is effected by means of a vibratory light - reflecting or refracting element capable of oscillating in response to a mechanism actuated by sound vibrations and modulating the beam of light that is projected through the object lens b, the variable beam thus produced being converted into sounds by the receiving instrument. The element may be actuated by a valve oscillator under the control of a signalling key. Preferably, the element 48, Fig. 15, is arranged close behind the small aperture o and is secured to a spindle 51. A steel bar 52 is secured at right angles to, and extending from opposite sides of, the spindle, and its ends are situated between polepieces 54 on a permanent horseshoe magnet 55. Rubber cushions 53 support the bar and spindle while permitting them to vibrate about the axis of the spindle. Bobbins 59 wound with fine wire surround the ends of the bar 52 and are connected to a microphone. With this construction, an electric lamp and a condensing lens are enclosed in a housing secured at one side of the tubular body a, and the light from the condenser passes through apertures and falls on the element 48 by which it is reflected through the aperture o to the object lens.

Nov. 7, 1944. A. c. w. ALDls SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed March 2.. 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 a-, lds 197 iM ty f Nqv. 7, 1944. A. c. w. ALDls SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed March 2;.1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1944. A. w. ALDIS 2,362,333

SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 jIl (1D CID N0 7, 1944 l A. c. w. ALDIS 2,362,333".V

S IGNALING APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1942 5 sheet's-sneetA 5 Sheets-Shea?l 5 A. C. W. ALDIS SIGNALJNG APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1942 Nov. 7, 1944.

l @bere/Zar j C. f, 4 d (-757 y0 Patented Nov. "7,- 1944 f .sie-NALING APBARATUS .Arthur.cyril-webbnidis, sparkhili'imiiighan,

y i L'England, .assigner 'to Aidis rothers l y W Sparkhill, Birmingham, England l#Application.Marc'11.22, InJGreait Britain 1942;..sferifa1.No.lfiaase f Septemberll, 19M.

soumis.. (C1. '177;321)

.This invention has )for fitsmbject it'o aprovide van iimproved signaling .apparatus ."Whereby `militar-y .or other .signals can tze-transmitted with greater isecrecy 'than eis .ipossible i.with ordinary signaling fapparatus. l i f 'The .invention comprises .ra vtelescope "adapted -both to view :a` distantzistation and tto tproject sa llight beam :to that station; .and :having `.light .de-

^ flectingfmeansvadaptedto '-.be .moved tolzeither of @dei-ined inA veither of fthe .preceding ifparagrap-hs -and :having ;a.-vib,ratory light-.reflective orzrefra'c- `.tive element -responsivefto i sound -vibrations r and adapted :so .tof'modify Ithe transmitted .light :sigy,

nais that l.the latter -when received by fa distant :instrument can be converted :into .sound -vibra- ,.ti'ons.

In the .accompanying sheets .of explanatory drawings: n

.Figures .1,v :2 and :2a1 are zrespectivel-y ia sectional zside elevation, an endvelevationfiand ya fragmentary planof the signaling apparatus .constructed in accordance with the invention- .Figures .-3 Iiand- 4 :are sections ,taken rrespectively on thelinesB-and'df-itofFgllrefl. l .Figure 5 .is :a setion ion .the .linefi-f-S :of IEigure .3. f i

. Figures-.f6 and Tere .detail -zviews illustrating 11n I.plan `.some of .the partsfshown in YFigures '11, 53 4.and .4..v l

Aliligure N8 .is fa idiagram-illustrating :electrical `:connections of :theiapparatusshown .in Figures \l ,to .7.

Figures :9, -10 and .Ibane-.respectively a frag- :mentary sectional end ielevation, .a. .fragmentary side elevation, and :a: fragmentary' Vsectional plan, illustrating amodied oformy of .the invention.

.Figures .12 vand .'13 .are i respectively :a -if-ragmen- .tary sectional siderelevation sand :a fragmentary f :sectional plan.illustratinganother modied'form of the invention.` l

Figure '.14l :is-a :1s -Figui'e 12. 'Y f l Figures 15 iandzbzareirespectively*a1-sectional l50.

:side elevationfan'd apartisectionalcendielevation .the i example @shown f in `:the Alatter Figure v137 is iafsectionnnfthe .line .IJ- lil aof f .fIn .carrying the .invention .into;.eff ect .asfshown in :Figures vlitof-,QI employga. tuhularbodvohavf lamp. At any .convenient intermediate .position the .bod-y .a ,is A.provided '.with a itubularioranch `e mounted-atany convenient. angle tothe body. y19.1; the outer end .ofy-,the .branch `e .I ,mounten eye piece f having lensesg Aassociated `with fitand adjacent to the ,inner end'. of,.the eyepiece I mount WithinQthe lorancha ldghttopy h.. .Also II mount erecting lenses .within .the `loranch.,e at any convenient distance from .the innerside .of the.,-1'ight\.stop h. Moreover Withintthenody .a .and .at or .near .-.itsojunction .with .the manch e -I .mount .a member ,i (herein; termed a llight .defleeting mennen' .by v.which.light.oni-.ering .the bod-y ithroughgthe.. object .lens b `can ^he `r deflected through the ierecting -lensesi aand ,ey.-,.pie.

@The ,light deecting. membelfj .may Lhave the form of.. a 4.prism aS .,SIDWIL .011.' it may .be formed by mirrors orlhyianypther .convenientmeiiecting device, :but Liniany A.ease itis. movable .inthe man- .nerhereinafter described .tlo .-andlfrom Aa' service lposition ingwhioh itcanintemeptand deiiectlight .entering the body a yltincuig'h -the .object lens'jb. Between the ilght .deflecting .member i .andthe erectingllenses .i .thelbranchie provided with another- .lightstoplc,-andioniorneargthis stopmay .be mountedr a..graticule .m. .Alternatively the .graticulein.mavbearrangedbetweenthe erecting .lensesi and the'eye piecej.. y l

.Also in .the.hody.a.,near its junction with .the branch ..e,f..andl.between thelight .source d .and .the .sei-'vice position .inf .thelight ieecting inem- .ber w', .there is ...mounted .a ilightstop ,n .having-,a

.andirom a position4 in iwhichmiil obstructs the ipassageotlight .fromlthe saidsourcetogthe .small .aperture.at.o. i... f, A

rWhen the .-.light deiiecting :member ,is in its servicepositiomit enables a..distant stationtdbe -..vieweoliorl signalslto'.be -re.ceived.. Whenitis required to sendyafsignal .theiight source d Tis 55 .brought into ..aotion, v.and 'the v2li-.glut deectins ing fat-.one endfaniobject lens .hand A,at .thepther ends-a. holder .orhousing iciorfa lightlsource ,d ,in the Tformwof an -incandescentefilament .electric i .-smalhaertureat authe .focusof .thegobiect member 7' is moved laterally to an out-of-service position clear of the light beam projected by the said source through the small aperture at o under the control of the shutter q.

The electric lamp forming the light source d is preferably provided with a cylindrlcally coiled filament t whiclrcan be brought into an oblique position on the optical axis of the `object lens b and thereby present an incandescent surface devoid of any non-luminous gaps to the small aperture at o when the latter is uncovered by the shutter q, any convenient means (not shown) being provided for enabling the lamp to` be mounted in the holder or housing c with the filament accurately located in the desired position. l

For enabling the light defleoting member :i to be moved laterally to and from its service posi# tion, the tubular body a is provided at the position where it is joined by the branch e with a rectangular or other enlargement u in which the light deflecting member is mounted on a slide o, .the latter being slidable on guide bars w carried by a plate :c ywhich serves to close the side of the enlargement remote from the branch, and which is 'removably secured in position by screws or other fastenings. `In'one extreme position of the slide o the light deilecting member i occupies its service position, andHin theLother extreme position of the slide the said memberoccupies its outof-service position, the extreme positions of the slide being determined by abutments y at the ends of the guide bars w.

Situated at one' side of the light deiiecting member :i is a shaft z which extends longitudinally through and is rotatably supported by the enlargement u of` the body a, and on an axis parallel with this shaft there is rotatably supported by the'slide v a member 2 through which movement can be imparted `to the slide by an arm 3 extending radially from the shaft, the latter and the said member being formed with transverse holes for slidably accommodating the adjacent ends of the' arm. `On thisarm 3 is mounted a helical spring 4 which at one end bears against the member 2 carriedvby the slide o, and at the other end bears against a collar 5 onthe arm, the collarbeing caused by the spring to bear against the adjacent side of the shaft z. At one end the shaft a carries a finger lever 6, and by appropriate movement of this lever theshaft can be turned for moving the slide v between its extreme positions, the rstpart of each such movement beingeffected by the arm 3 against the action of the spring 4 which after passing a dead centre position completes orasslststhe arm in completing the said movementand then serves to hold the slide againstY accidental movement.

' lThe shutter q above mentioned is arranged in the body 'enlargement u at the end remote from the object lens `1:,` and this shutter has the form of afbladesecured jto and projecting from one side of a pivotal carrier 1, the latterbeing movable Iby the electromragnet r for actuating the shutter. `The carrier. 'l is supported at a position intermediateits ends byl a knife-edge bearing 8` ion a'braclet 9 which, also carries the winding I0 of the r-electromagnet r, vand which is secured to the plate :l:Y forming the removable side of the body enlargement u.' When the electromagnet winding vHl is de-energised the shutter q occupies a position infwhich its' free end covers the small aperture at o in the stop n', and obstructs the passage of light from vthe source d to the said aperture. Aspring Il acting on the shutter carrier 1 serves to hold the shutter q in the above is controlled by a signaling key I4.

mentioned position which is determined by contact of thel carrier with an adjustable stop l2 on the bracket 9. When the winding I0 is energised the electromagnet r serves to move the carrier 1 against the action of its loading spring ll to a position in which the free end of the shutter q uncovers the small aperture at o in the stop 11., and allows light from the source d to be projected through this aperture.-

As shown in Figure 8 the circuit of the electromagnet winding I0 contains any convenient source of current supply, such as a battery I3, and Also the circuit of the light source d may contain, in addition to a battery l5 or other source of current supply and a main control switch i6, another switch l1 which is movable by or concurrently witnthe light deflecting member 7' so that the.

light source is in action only when the light deflecting member is in its out-of-service position. The switch'l'l may consist of a pair of iixed contacts I8, and a movable contact i8 adapted to bridge the fixed contacts, the movable contact being conveniently carried by the underside of the slide 'a as shown in Figure 4, and the iixed contacts being carried by and insulated from the plate c: (forming the removable side of the body enlargement u) as shown in Figures 4 and 7. In this case the plate :r also carries terminals 20 `throughwhich current can be supplied to that part of the light source circuit which contains the iixed contacts I8.

Electric current is supplied to the Winding I0 'of the electromagnet r through terminals 2| also carried by the plate m. If for any reason the supply of current to the winding I0 fails, the shutter q can be actuated by the above mentioned plunger s which extends through and is slidably supported by the wall of the body enlargement u at a position opposite to the electromagnet r. At its outer end the plunger s is provided with a push button 22 whereby it can be actuated against the action of a loading spring 23, the

inner end of the plunger being adapted to act on the shutter carrier 1.

'When remote control of the shutter q is not required the electromagnet r may be dispensed with, in whichA case the plunger s is used to actuate the shutter.

When used for locating or receiving signals from a distant station the apparatus above described forms a telescope, the light deiiecting member y' being in its service position. To enable signals to be transmitted to a distant station, the light defiecting member i is moved to its out-of-service position and the light source d is brought into action. Morse or other signals can now be transmitted by suitable actuation of the key i4, this causing a narrow beam of light to be projected intermittently from the light source d through the small aperture at o and thence through the object lens b.

If it is desired to impart colour to the projected light beam any convenient coloured screen may be arranged in the path of this beam. For enabling this to be eiiected a holder 24 adapted to carry a Vplurality of coloured screens 25 is ar ranged within and extends transversely across the body enlargement u at a position between the light deflecting member i and the object lens b. At 4one end this holder 24 is carried by a sleeve 26 freely mounted on the end of the above mentioned shaft e remote from the linger lever 6, and on the sleeve is mounted another iinger lever 21. By appropriate manipulationl of the the light source is out of acti-onfandfrbl-uemvvhen "-thel-i'ght sourceisinaction.

To i `prevent f-internals reliection Io'f flight* in the "apparatus above *described*thewvv'ioley f the 3interior of the apparatus imay be `painted -idead black. lAlso the partf o'f i the `ti-ibu/lar body yfa beftween vthe @enlargement iandfthe lbjectlens `'b "is providedwith sa' pluralityof J'spacedfpartitions 32 'Shaving cent1-al Lapertures 33 'y which progresffsively' `:decrease 'in diameter from-the object'lens to "the said enlargement, *the fpartitions I'fleeing spaced-"apartibyhelicalsprin'gs l34, landboth" fthe partitions ande springs 'being painted f'd-ead black. .-At 'jits ends the body --af is supported; by bearings 35 on"supportssl'adapted -to be 4"moimted Yori-any convenient #stand (not shown), thebody ffbeing Irotatably adjustablein theabearings to b`ring"`the -bran'ch -e -iinto'anyfdesired y'position suited-to the requirementscof the observer.

f-When the "apparatus above described is -re- "quired" to receive `signals-it -'-is -necessary fonthe observerl to Yremain constantly' on' watch. In order vto favold this lnecessity/,i1 l' may employ 'the 'exvample "illustrated in Figures i9 toll. "Insthis lexample `:I 'mountffon' any convenientgpart of f* the body enlargement-u V-a hchamber 131 in which Uis *mounted '-a -photoelectr`ic `'oe'll 138 or any Nother ksuitablei-lighteresponsive means such as-'asele- Afriiu-rn cell. Also"I-'employ in additionto'theabove describedilight-deiiectingmember i '(hereinafter `referred to 'as'therst 'light "deecting member) la second light Avzeiie'ctinjg'member '39 which may 'havethe'form of a prism. This second lightfde- "Ilectingmember 39'is adapted'tobe movedlaterally to .andjfroln a service Y,positionon-y thef optical #axis 1oi" the telescope. 'When in thispositionthe 'member L39 servesto deiiectfthesaid axis .through :al .rights or .other convenient angle,and `thereby :.to.;cause;the sa.id.axis ito:pa ss,.by .way oftaismall :aperturevlw 4insa .light :stop 4l into -the interior cof .ithe `1clziamber v3-'l containing -.-.the (cell l31?, rth-is v.chairtbeiabeingf ...otherwise lighttight. Thessmall `largement alf-between"therstfmentionedsmall faperturefatlcf andi theservice; position `ofy the-first "-"both-'meribers entf-oit action.

-5 libe monted 'onfthef-plate"cffclosing'one'side "of wthe"'bodyeenlargementfsu. -As 'shown this=felectromagnet -cornprise`s "a 4vWin-ding 43 and `-a sprinar #loaded plunger M, the *latter be-ing 'providedil at its-outerfend with a-fplate 115" on` which lthe fsec- #which is held -fagainst'rotational fmovemeI-it 'f-by 1"theengagement/offaffpeg 46 on thef-bo'dy ofthe -electromagnet With-a 'slot 1N Vin the said 1plate.

5Insteade'olibeing actuatedfbwan lectromajgnet lrigidlytattached to the first -lig-htfdeflectin'gfmem- "ber fi, andthe two 'members may `Vbe :actuated iii-by an-v externaltlever#adapted to take uup any-'one "of -'three cpositions corresponding to. the "secon'd Q'inerti-ber inaction,itherstfmeinber in-#actionffor compared-f With the ffirstflight Ydeflecting-Y member Y:It is however convenient :for the tvvo-p1anes mof vfdeilection #to A"be lmutually iat right AJangleswto am) -fed in the most lfsuitable"position,

4By arranging lfthe ETI'light f responsive means 338 v"in the Imanner vdescribed*above it'is v'ver-y*effec- 'Itively screened from janyl light ffro'm vexternal sources other 'than 'from thefdistantssienaling ymrstaticm fandvbjects iin KVVdts fimmediate '-vicinity.

fThe'fli'ght 'responsive means 13B -isfaidapted-to `lz`cordiroljfa lsound v'prcidncin'e ---apparatus, fa -Vvisible fiindicator. 'a'ncl/ or mechanism *for v'recording the signals as iiotsiari'dl'dashes fmarked-'onfia tape 2:45 driven |loyclockfvvorkfor VAmvstorrthe fsaidwappa'ratus. indicator, and/or mechanism being-mounted lfbonring:receivingstation. f *From =the tforego-inar =it 'Awill v*he =seen i-vthat 'th adapted to be used in a similar manner tofthat "convert `the l'-rec-eived light -signals finto laudible -siernalsir or mAsignals which are lvisible r otherwise *than through ff'thef telescope."

Thefaddition of the' light responsive means -'in f combination 'with the means control-led thereby venables a 44'desirable additional advantage to fbe Obtained-in "that ai"ter'='the` telescope'hasibeen addusted-on to a-`distant signaling station, the sig- Iiscofpe,ithus--reniileririg,f*it unnecessary 'for an 'vobf Lserverto giveehis-fconstant` -attentionfto the 'teleco y"scope i A itis-'Tequiredtotransniit -oralcommuni- 1 'cation the -examplesshownin Figures 12 "to'1'7 iis `employed. *In this example I vemployany lconfvenient -vibratory -flight 'reflective' or :refractive 'elementlcapablef'offoscillatingin response tofa mechanism l'actuatedby "sound" vibrations. This element Vr1r1`aybe A actuatedfdirectly, Ior byfelectromagnetic 'or electrostaticvmeans, in lresponseV 'to `l the-'vibrations of `a 'diaphragm-"or" the like :which *receives the' oral messagesto'vbe'transmitted-The element 48 is situated between the light source d and very close to the small aperture o (Figure which, when illuminated by the light source through the interposition of a condenser lens 2J, is responsible for sending out light signals. housing or holder c containing the light source d and supporting the condenser lens p is situated at one side and near the end of the tubular body a remote from the object lens (not shown) Further the vibratory element 48 is placed on the telescope axis between the light source d and the small aperture o in such a way that, at one particular orientation, all the light which zpasses through this aperture from the light source is received by the telescope object lens and forms the signaling beam. In addition I employ for masking the object lens a mask 49 having a rectangular aperture 49a whose sides are respectively parallel and perpendicular to the axis about which the vibratory element 48 can oscillate. Moreover I may similarly mask the aperture of the condenser lens p which concentrates a spot of light for illuminating the small aperture o after refraction or reiiection by the vibratory elelment 48, but preferably I make the aperture of able according to the orientation of the vibratory element 48, passing from a maximum when the light just fills the object lens to a minimum when hardly any light reaches the object lens at the two extreme ends of the arc of oscillation of the vibratory element. In this way the intensity of the light emitted by the telescope object lens can (by the oscillations of the vibratcry element 48) be varied in a manner corresponding to the variations in the sound vibrations which actuate,.

the element.

Oral messages transmitted in the form of light by the apparatus above described are received by the light responsive means of a receiving instrument and thereby re-converted into sound vibra-f..

tions.

If desired'I may provide means for locking the vibratory element 48 in a position in which it transmits maximum light, and employ a shutter for interrupting the beam at a position very close-.

to the small aperture o as inthe previously described examples, so that the apparatus can serve also for transmitting Morse signaling. Alternatively I can use'a Morse key for reversing the current in the: circuit of the electrical device (hereinafter described) which serves to oscillate the` reiiective or refractive element 48, the arrangement being such that with the key depressed the current flows one way and causes the said element to assume a position in which there is maximum illumination of the object lens, and with the key raised the current reverses thereby swinging the said element to a position for causing no light to reachethe object lens and no beam in consequence to be emitted, but preferably I 1 employ any convenient valve oscillator oractuating the vibratory element 48 under the control of a Morse key. Thus with this preferredarrangement the telescope when the key is not depressed emits a steady beam at half strength,-

The.

while dots and dashes take the form of an oscillatory beam sent out of short or long duration. The steady beam evokes no response from the light responsive element at the receiving end but the oscillatory beam provokes a vigorous response in the form of an oscillatory current which gives rise to a note of corresponding pitch in a loudspeaker or headphones.

When using the apparatus for transmitting messages in Morse the mask 49 is moved to an out-of-service position in the manner hereinafter described, so that the full aperture of the object lens can be used for transmitting signals. The other mask 5B may also be moved to an out-ofservice position, but when this mask has its preferred form as indicated above it may be xed in its service position.

Ii it is required to lock the vibratory element 48 in the position in which it transmits maximum light for the purpose above described, I can secure this result either by mechanical means, or by passing a suitable steady current through the circuit of the electrical device associated with the vibratory element to bring the latter to the appropriate orientation and to hold it there.

In its preferred form as shown the vibratory element 48 consists of a small mirror carried by and situated in the diametral plane of an oscillatory spindle 5I. Formed on or secured to the spindle 5I at a position spaced from the mirror 43 .is a steel bar 52 which is situated at right angles to and extends from opposite sides of the spindle. At its ends the bar 52 is situated between rubber cushions 53 which serve to support the bar and spindle whilst permitting vibratory movement thereof about the axis of the spindle. The cushions 53 are" secured to and carried by iron pole pieces 54 on the ends of a permanent horse-shoe magnet 55, the pole pieces being bridged by nonmagnetic metal strips 55 which serve to secure the cushions in position. The adjacent faces of the pole pieces 54 are shaped to provide at their ends two pairs of pole tips 51 between which the adjacent ends of the bar 52 are situated. Between the pole tips 51 the adjacent faces of the pole pieces 54 are shaped to accommodate bobbins 58 made from electrical insulating material, the bobbins being wound with very fine wire 59 Vadapted to receive oscillating currents from a the pole pieces 54, and the bobbins 58 are all made -in two halves divided in a medial plane containing the axis of the spindle 5I as shown.

The horse-shoe magnet 55 is secured in a cuplike carrier 6l which at diametrically opposite positions is supported bypivots 62 in a cylindrical housing 63, the pivots being arranged coaxially with the spindle 5 I. At one end the housing 53 is closed except for the small aperture o' which is provided in a light stop in the form of a hollow member n' on the said end of the housing, this member being arranged to extend into the housing to bring the said aperture into the required close proximity to the mirror 48. vAt its opposite end the housing 63 is closed by a removable cover 54 which carries an adjusting screw 65 for determining the position of the carrier 6l With-iml the..l housings;f the:y adiustingi. screw being adaptedvto astma-the, carrierfxiniopppsition to..a. springgfil` in-.the formrofffa biiurcated metal plate: carriedl by thel end .ofi therhousingremoteefromf the.a.djustingscrew.,

The housing-, .63`isarraDgedWithinandadaptem to fit the interiorfotthaftubular,bodyfafjatrapofsition.. near the.- condenser lens.- ps, the; :removable cover. 64. being. accessibleithrough.. the4 adj acenty endof `l`the? body. after. another. cover.. 6.1l has been, removedfromthisend-.ot thebodie.`

Holes v68. formedhcoaxiallyf with` thee .condenser lens. 2),' in. the. housing 63,. the. carrier. 6l, andthe horse-shoe. .magnet 55, enable li'ghn passing.v through-the. condenser. lens.. from` the. sourcez dto illuminate the mirror 48 which in turn istadaptedt to illuminatethesmallaperturefothrough which the signaling beam is transmitted. v

The mask 49 employed for masking the object lens may be made to an elongated form from sheet metal and arranged in a housing 69 forming a part of the body a at that side of the body enlargement u which is situated nearest to the object lens. At one end the mask. 49 is pivotally connected to a cover piece closing one side of the housing 69, and at a position near its other end the mask is provided with the rectangular aperture 49a above mentioned. The cover piece 19 also carries an electromagnet having a winding 1| and a spring-loaded plunger 12, the latter being connected to the pivoted end of the mask 49 by linkage 12a. gised the mask 49 is moved by the plunger 12 from its out-of-service position as shown,.to a service position for masking the object lens as above described. Return of the mask 49 is effected by the spring loading of the plunger 12 when the winding 1| is de-energised. a

The other mask 50 employed for masking the condenser lens p is mounted in the interior of the holder or housing c for accommodating the light source d.

In other respects the example shown in Figures 12 to 1'7v is essentially similar to that shown in Figures 9 to 1l and differs only in minor constructional details some of which will now be described.

The slide v which carries the nist iight deflecting member y consists of a pair of interconnected plates between which the said member is situated, and which is slidably supported on a pair of transverse guide rods w in the body enlargement u. For actuating the slide v to move the first light deecting member y' between its service and out-of-service positions, a push-pull rod .13 arranged parallel with the guide rods wis connected to one side of theslide and passes through a boss on the adjacent side of 'the body enlargement u, and this boss carries a spring-loaded detent 14 which is adapted by engagement with grooves 14a in the push-pull rod to determine the above mentioned positions of the rst light deflecting member. The slide v may be adapted to control 'the electric circuit of the light source d as previously described.

The side of the body enlargement u remote from that through 'which the push-pull rod 13 passes is made removable and carries the electromagnet 42 for actuating the second light deflecting member 39, the latter being carried 'by the plunger 44 of its actuating electromagnet, and being adapted (when in its service position) to deect the optical axis of the telescope through a small aperture into the interior of a chamber 31 containing a photo-electric cell 38 or other When the Windingv 1| is eneris .-lsecuredateone, endLtofafshorhoscillatory .spin-,.-

die 1 5, Vwhich ,passes-i through, ak wall@ ofA the.bodyl enlargement.- u, and which.at..its.outenend carries.-

a lever 1.6 whereby the said holdercan be acljliisted.vl

to ybring different. colourediscreens intoitfheepath of..the.signaling;.,beam, thedevencarryngra,springeloaded `detent lllwhichiby, engagement.withresl cessesimthesaid wallservestometainlthe holder.

in.medesima.adjnstedppsitiqns l A By. this-invention.militaryror othensignalscan,

. be transniittedlwith..great.secretase...` The .in ven..v

tioni is.. not.. howeyen, limited.. to the.. examples above.. described.' as ,subordinata details.. be..

varied to suit'reluirement's.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Signaling apparatus comprising in combination a main tubular member, an object lens ar' ranged at one end of and coaxially with the main tubular member, a branch tubular member united at one end with an intermediate portion ecting means, and means for moving the light deflecting means into Iand out of a service position in which it defiects the optical axis of the object lens through the branch tubular member. i

2. Signaling apparatus comprising in combination a main tubular member, an object lens arranged at one end of and coaxially with the main tubular member, a branch tubular member united atone end with an intermediate portion of the main tubular member, an eye piece and a light'source housing disposed one at the outer end of the branch tubular member and the otherl in the vicinity of the end of the main tubular member yremote from the object lens, light deflecting means, means formoving the light deflecting means into and out of a service position in which it deects the optical axis of the object lens` through the branch tubular member, light responsive means arranged `at one side of the main tubular member, and a second light de' ecting means movable into and out of a service position lin which it deflects the optical axis of the object lens on to the light responsive means.

. 3. Signaling apparatus comprising in combina-y tion a main tubular member, an objectlens arranged at one end of andcoaxially with the main tubularr member, a branch tubular member united at one end with an intermediate portion of the main tubular member, van eye piece and a light source housing disposed one at the outer end of the branch tubular member and the other in the vicinity of the end of the main tubular member l remote from the object lens light deflecting means, means 4for moving the light deflecting means into and out of a service position in which it deflects the optical axis of the object lens through the branch tubular member, and a vi Eloratory element responsive to sound vibrations l and operable to deect light from the housing through the object lens. l

l 4. Signaling apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and having a light stop provided with a small aperture through `which light from the object lens can be directed bythe second light deflecting means on to the light responsive means,

5. Signaling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having `within the vmain tubular member a light stop provided with a small aperture through which light from the housing can pass when the light deflecting means is in an cut-of-service position.

6. Signaling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having in combination alight stop arranged Within the main tubular member and provided with a small aperture through which light from the housing can pass when the light deflecting means is in an out-of-serviee position, and a shutter for controlling the said aperture.

"7. Signaling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having in combination a light stop arranged Within vthe main tubular member and provided with a small aperture through which light from the housing can pass when the light dei'lecting means is in an out-of-service position, a shutter for controlling the said aperture, and electromagnetic means and hand operable means for alternatively actuating the said shutter. 8. Signaling apparatus as claimed in claim 3 and having in combination with the vibratory element, an oscillatory supporting spindle, a housing arranged Within the main tubular member, a carrier which is adjustably mounted Within the latter housing and in which the vibratory element is supported by the spindle, and means whereby the spindle can be oscillated in response to sound vibrations.

ARTHUR CYRIL WEBB ALDIS. 

